Chesterfield Names New County Administrator

TL;DR: Chesterfield County appoints Dr. Kevin A. Catlin, a 35-year-old administrator from Michigan, as its next county administrator at a salary of $390,000 annually, beginning Aug. 24.

The story

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors has appointed Dr. Kevin A. Catlin as the county's next administrator, effective Aug. 24. Catlin, 35, will earn $390,000 annually and will become the first Black county administrator in Chesterfield's history.

Catlin is currently the administrator and controller of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, where he has served since 2022. In that role, he oversaw a $325 million annual budget and a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees. His tenure in Michigan included leadership of a $500 million downtown event center project and strengthened relationships with major regional employers including Pfizer and Stryker. Catlin earned a doctorate in public administration and holds the Credentialed Manager credential from the International City/County Management Association.

Prior to Kalamazoo, Catlin served as city manager of Springfield, Massachusetts, and held positions including assistant city manager and director of information technology for Brookings, South Dakota. He began his career in municipal administration with roles in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the State of Illinois.

Dr. Joseph P. Casey is retiring July 1 after ten years as county administrator. The Board of Supervisors honored his tenure with a resolution recognizing his "leadership and support for first-responders" during his decade of service. Matt Harris, the deputy county administrator for finance and administration, will serve as interim administrator from July 1 through Aug. 23.

In recent interviews, Catlin outlined priorities aligned with Chesterfield County's current challenges. On data centers, a significant development issue locally, he emphasized the need for public education, stating residents require information about "health implications, whether it's zoning implications, and whether it's the community itself." On housing, he advocated for addressing the full spectrum of needs, including market-rate options, subsidized housing, and support for homeless individuals. Regarding fiscal management, he stressed the importance of monitoring fluctuations in state and federal funding to ensure county services remain unaffected.

Key players

• Dr. Kevin A. Catlin: Newly appointed Chesterfield County administrator
• Dr. Joseph P. Casey: Retiring county administrator, served 10 years
• Matt Harris: Deputy county administrator for finance and administration; interim administrator
• Chesterfield Board of Supervisors: Appointed Catlin following nationwide search

Key dates

• 2026-07-01: Dr. Joseph P. Casey retires; Matt Harris begins interim administration
• 2026-08-24: Dr. Kevin A. Catlin begins as Chesterfield County administrator

Why it matters: The county administrator is the top operational executive in Chesterfield County government, overseeing budgets, staffing, and day-to-day management of county services. Catlin's appointment signals a shift in county leadership as Chesterfield navigates major issues including data center expansion, housing affordability, and budget pressures from state and federal funding changes.

Related links

• County Administration - Chesterfield County Official Website
• Board of Supervisors - Chesterfield County

Read the original at Richmond Times-Dispatch (State) →

Sources

• Board of Supervisors Roundup - Chesterfield County Official Newsflash
• What new Chesterfield administrator Kevin Catlin thinks about data centers, housing, and taxes - WTVR
• Updated: Chesterfield names Michigan county administrator to replace retiring Joe Casey - Richmond BizSense